Through wall electrical and low voltage connector

ABSTRACT

A through wall electrical device including a high voltage electrical box having a rear surface and a low voltage electrical box, an electrical receptacle or an electrical plug having a rear wall and positioned in the high voltage electrical box, and wherein the rear wall extends beyond the rear surface of the high voltage box.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of currently pending U.S.Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/141,506 to Baldwin et al., filedon Dec. 27, 2013, which is currently pending, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/749,211, filed on Jan. 4,2013 to Baldwin et al., and also claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/773,777 to Baldwin et al., filed on Mar. 6,2013, and the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to electrical devicesand more specifically to electrical devices which hide line voltagecables and a low voltage cable behind a wall for a more aestheticallypleasing appearance.

2. Background Art

Electrical cords and plugs are well known and are used to provideelectrical current to a number of devices. Modern televisions are lightenough to be hung on the wall, yet still need to be connected to anelectrical outlet. In new construction, an electrical outlet can belocated where a television will ultimately be mounted, yet the majorityof households have electrical outlets near the floor. In theseinstances, the television electrical cable droops from the mountedtelevision to reach the electrical outlet near the floor and creates anunsightly appearance. Further, DVD players, cable boxes, and similardevices which play through the television must be connected to thetelevision with an HDMI cable or other suitable cable. These cables thenmust be run up the wall and further clutters the television'sappearance.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a through wall cable device. In oneaspect, a through wall electrical device includes a high voltageelectrical box having a rear surface and a low voltage electrical box,an electrical receptacle or an electrical plug having a rear wall andpositioned in the high voltage electrical box, and wherein the rear wallextends beyond the rear surface of the high voltage electrical box.

In an implementation, the electrical receptacle or the electrical plugmay be secured within a receptacle retainer in the high voltageelectrical box. The through wall electrical box may further include amounting portion recessed from a front surface formed by a flange tosecure the high voltage electrical box to a wall. The electricalreceptacle may be a plurality of electrical receptacles.

In another aspect, a through wall electrical device includes an upperhigh voltage electrical box, an upper low voltage electrical box, alower high voltage electrical box, and a lower low voltage electricalbox, and a hollow tube connecting the upper low voltage electrical boxand the lower low voltage electrical box.

In an implementation, the upper low voltage electrical box may furtherinclude a top wall having a cutout. The cutout may extend rearward atleast partially above a low voltage electrical box outlet. The cutoutmay not be visible when the upper high voltage electrical box and theupper low voltage electrical boxes are installed. The upper low voltageelectrical box may be clear. The upper high voltage electrical box maybe clear. The upper low voltage electrical box and the upper highvoltage electrical box are each half-round electrical boxes. The throughwall electrical device may include a recessed mounting portion forsecuring the upper low voltage electrical box and the upper high voltageelectrical box to a wall. The recessed mounting portions may bedisconnected from a front surface flange. The through wall electricaldevice may include a faceplate securable to a flange of the upper highvoltage electrical box and the upper low voltage electrical box. Thefaceplate may include a high voltage opening and a low voltage opening.The upper and lower high voltage electrical boxes may be removablewithout impacting the upper and lower low voltage electrical boxes. Theupper high voltage electrical box may be positioned above the upper lowvoltage electrical box.

In an aspect, a method of providing a cable passage includes the stepsof mounting an upper low voltage electrical box in an installation wallwith a hollow tube positioned behind the installation wall, mounting alower low voltage electrical box in the installation wall and connectedto the hollow tube, mounting an upper high voltage electrical box in theinstallation wall, and mounting a lower high voltage electrical box inthe installation wall.

In an implementation, the method may further include the step ofinserting a cable through the upper and lower low voltage electricalboxes before installing the upper and lower high voltage electricalboxes. The method may include the step of connecting the lower highvoltage electrical box to an electrical current source.

Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are describedbelow in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specificallynoted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specificationand the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning tothose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fullyaware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. Theinventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only theplain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claimsunless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly setforth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differsfrom the plain and ordinary meaning Absent such clear statements ofintent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent anddesire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms beapplied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar.Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be furthercharacterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term,or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptiveterms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts ofEnglish grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms,or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases begiven their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in theapplicable arts as set forth above.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denotelike elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a rear exploded perspective view of the through wall cabledevice with various components.

FIG. 2 is a front exploded perspective view of the through wall cabledevice with various components.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the through wall cable device in a fullyassembled orientation and both an electrical cable and a low voltagecable installed.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the low voltage cable tubewith a connector positioned between two separate pieces of low voltagecable tube.

FIG. 5A is a front view of the low voltage cable tube with two pieces oflow voltage cable tube aligned with a connector.

FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the low voltage cable tube takengenerally along line A-A in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of the low voltage cable tube shown in FIG.5B.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the through wall cable device with anelectrical cable and a low voltage cable positioned within the upperelectrical box taken generally about line A-A in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6B is a front view of the through wall cable device with anelectrical cable and a low voltage cable positioned within the upperelectrical box.

FIG. 6C is an enlarged sectional view of the through wall cable deviceof encircled portion B shown in FIG. 6A

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the upper electrical box with theelectrical device and low voltage cable tube separated from theelectrical box.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the upper electrical box in theassembled position.

FIG. 8B is a top perspective view of the upper electrical box in theassembled position.

FIG. 8C is a front view of the upper electrical box in the assembledposition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hole saw being used to create twoopenings in a wall for installation of the through wall cable device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper electrical box with lowvoltage cable tube and electrical cable being inserted through an upperhole.

FIG. 11 illustrates the low voltage cable tube passing through a lowerhole in the wall and adapted to be connected to the lower electricalcable.

FIG. 12 illustrates the upper and lower electrical boxes in position andlow voltage cables passing through both electrical boxes.

FIG. 13 illustrates the upper and lower electrical boxes in the fullyassembled orientation with a metallic electrical cable connecting theelectrical boxes.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an upper through wall cable device withvarious components.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the upper through wall cabledevice with various components.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the upper through wall cable device.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the upper through wall cabledevice.

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the upper through wall cable device.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a lower through wall cabledevice.

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the upper through wall cabledevice with high voltage and low voltage cables being inserted.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the upper through wall cabledevice with two high voltage receptacles.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a receptacle and receptacle housing.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the receptacle housing in the closedposition.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the receptacle housing in the openposition.

FIG. 25 illustrates the low voltage electrical box of the through wallcable device installed in a wall and low voltage cables being insertedtherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Manyadditional components and assembly procedures known in the artconsistent with the intended operation and assembly procedures for athrough wall electrical device will become apparent for use withimplementations of a through wall electrical device from thisdisclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular components aredisclosed, such components and other implementing components maycomprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement,concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in theart for such implementing components, consistent with the intendedoperation of a through wall electrical device.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate views of the upper electrical box 10 with anadapter 12 which fits within a bottom portion of upper electrical box10. The upper electrical box 10 may be arranged to receive adapter 12 ordirectly receive the low voltage tube and electrical cable as will bediscussed below in greater detail. In the illustrated aspect, adapter 12snaps into an opening near the rear bottom of the upper electrical box10. The adapter 12 provides a feature to secure an electrical cable 14with an electrical outlet 16 specifically positioned within upperelectrical box 10. In this arrangement, a television electrical plug orother suitable line voltage device may be connected without electricalcables being visible. The adapter 12 also includes a mounting portion 18arranged to receive low voltage tube 20. Low voltage tube 20 connects toupper electrical box 10 such that the line voltage electrical cable 14may pass through the wall separate from low voltage tube 20 to permitpassage of both line voltage electrical cables and low voltageelectrical cables behind a wall without concerns of violating electricalcodes. As can be seen, line voltage electrical cable 14 may be astandard NM cable or any other suitable cable to meet code regulations.Adapter 12 may be discarded and replaced with a standard electrical boxwith a fixed side that low voltage hollow tube 20 can connect todirectly. In another implementation, adapter 12 may be replaceable toprovide a different shape/size to receive different shape/size hollowtubes as the user may select.

Referring to FIG. 2, adapter 12 is seen with separate openings for theline voltage electrical cable 14 with electrical outlet 16 and lowvoltage tube 20 such that the different cables are not in contact withone another after installation. Upper electrical box 10 includes arearward extending portion for installation into a wall (not shown inthis view). The upper electrical box 10 is inserted into the wall andscrews 22 are rotated to rotate mounting flags 24 outward, therebydrawing the mounting flags forward towards the screws 22. Accordingly,the mounting flags 24 contact a rear surface of the mounting wall andassist with securing the upper electrical box on the wall with a frontlip 26 of the upper electrical box contacting a front surface of thewall. Further, a gasket (not shown) may be secured between front lip 26and the front surface of the mounting wall to further assist withsealing the electrical box and preventing air flow between the frontside and rear side of the installation wall.

FIG. 3 illustrates a full through cable device with upper electrical box10 and a lower electrical box 28 connected with low voltage cable tube20 and high voltage electrical cable 14. Lower electrical box 28 mayalso include an adapter or the low voltage cable tube 20 and electricalcable 14 may connect directly to the lower electrical box 28. In thisarrangement, electrical cable 14 may include a connector 30 whichconnects to lower electrical box 28 directly. Lower electrical box 28may include an electrical outlet (similar to the upper electricaloutlet) such that an electrical cord may be used to connect the lowerelectrical box to a conventional power source. Lower electrical box 28may also include an electrical cable 32 which is positioned directlywithin or integral to the lower electrical box 28 such that a removableelectrical cable is not needed to connect the lower electrical box 28 toa standard power source, thereby reducing manufacturing costs andadditional components.

FIG. 3 also illustrates a low voltage cable 34 extending through theupper electrical box 10 and the lower electrical box 28 in addition tolow voltage cable tube 20. Advantageously, low voltage cables 34 may bepassed through a wall without the concern of contacting insulation orother debris which is positioned behind the mounting wall. Further, thelow voltage tube allows the owner to run additional low voltage cablesthrough the tube in a controlled manner without fish tape or otherintrusive and difficult to operate tool. In a similar fashion, thecables can be removed, replaced, or changed without the removal of thethrough wall cable device for each cable change. In addition, theelectrical cable 14 may be interchangeable to selectively providemultiple electrical outlets within upper electrical box 10 withoutremoval of the entire through wall cable device.

FIGS. 4 and 5A through 5C illustrate low voltage cable tube 20 with anupper tube 36 and a lower tube 38 connected with a connector 40 to helpform low voltage cable tube 20. In this arrangement, the upper tube 36and lower tube 38 can be selectively tuned to a specific length to fitthe specific installation requirement. The connector 40 may fit on theinside or outside of low voltage cable tube 20 and provide a secureconnection to permit a smaller product for packaging and an easierdevice for installation. Further, the low voltage cable tube 20 may begenerally oval or rectangular in shape to receive several low voltagecables without binding or installation difficulty.

FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrate various views of the upper electrical box10 with the electrical cable 14 and low voltage cable tube 20 installed.As can be better seen in these views, upper electrical box 10 providesan airtight seal without any gaps where electrical outlet 16 and lowvoltage cable tube 20 meet the upper electrical box. Although not shown,any number of compressible seals or other suitable sealing members maybe utilized to prevent airflow through the electrical boxes.Accordingly, when fully installed airflow will not transfer between theinner surface and outer surface of the wall where the electrical boxesare installed. Nevertheless, airflow will pass through the upper andlower electrical boxes via the low voltage cable tube since there willbe an airtight passage there between to the conditioned air on theinside of the installation wall.

FIGS. 7 and 8A through 8C illustrate various views of the upperelectrical box with similar features to those described above. In theseviews, the electrical cable 14 and low voltage cable tube 20 areconnected to adapter 12 prior to mounting the adapter to the upperelectrical box 10. As further seen in FIG. 7, a clip is positioned on alower rear surface of electrical box 10 and provides for positiveengagement between the upper electrical box 10 and adapter 12.

FIGS. 9 through 12 illustrate one example of an installation procedure,although any number of suitable methods and steps may be utilized whichare not necessarily disclosed. FIG. 9 illustrates a hole saw 64 beingused to form two holes 62, 63 in the installation wall 60, with theupper hole 62 preferably positioned near the television or electricaldevice and the lower hole 63 preferably aligned with the upper hole 62and near an already present electrical outlet or a location where anelectrical outlet can be located. FIG. 10 illustrates the upperelectrical box 10, electrical cable 14, and low voltage cable tube 20being inserted through the upper hole 62. Alternatively, the low voltagecable tube 20 and electrical cable 14 may be inserted along through theupper hole 62 or inserted from the lower hole 63 upwards. FIG. 11illustrates low voltage cable tube 20 and electrical cable 14 withconnector 30 extending through the lower hole 63 and connecting the lowvoltage cable tube 20 and electrical cable 14 to lower electrical box 28before the lower electrical box 28 is inserted into the lower hole 63.

FIG. 12 illustrates the upper electrical box 10 and lower electrical box28 installed in the wall with the electrical cable 14 providingelectrical current from the lower electrical box 28 to the upperelectrical box 10 and ultimately the electrical device without unsightlyelectrical cables being visible on the interior wall. In a similarfashion, low voltage cables 34 are shown passed through the upper andlower electrical boxes and the low voltage cable tube 20 (not shown inFIG. 12) to again provide communication between the upper and lowerelectrical boxes without the unsightly appearance of the cablesextending down the wall. Accordingly, an airtight and cable freeappearance is provided while still permitting the user to change,remove, or add additional low voltage cable lines. During installation,fish tape or another suitable device may be used to assist withpositioning the hollow tube 20 or the electrical cable 14 behind theinstallation wall between the first electrical box 10 and the secondelectrical box 28.

The lower electrical box is preferably arranged with a receiving portionfor attachment to a connector of a non-metallic (Romex® style) cablethat is maintained behind an interior wall. Advantageously, the lowerelectrical box may then have a permanently mounted electrical cord witha standard electrical plug or other suitable connector for providingelectrical current to the lower electrical box. Specifically, theelectrical cord can be inserted into a standard electrical outletpositioned near the lower electrical box at a traditional height(usually 12-16 inches from the floor). If the electrical cord is notlong enough, an extension cord may be utilized to extend the reach ofthe electrical cord. In this arrangement, an extension cord and relatedexpenses of the extension is not necessarily required for a standardinstallation of the through wall cable device. Further, a child cannotpull the electrical cord from the lower electrical box, therebyproviding a safer alternative than traditional electrical cables.

In summary, the disclosed through wall electrical device provides aneasy, efficient, and cheaper alternative way of providing electricalcurrent and low voltage electrical communication to a wall-mountedtelevision or other device without the clutter of cables hanging downthe wall. Further, the device is airtight to be energy efficient andeasy to install. To further enhance the airtight nature of the device,gaskets may be positioned between each electrical box and the hollowtube, the wall, or any pieces connected within the assembly to limit airinfiltration into or out of the electrical boxes. The NM cable mayinclude a snap-in connector at one or both ends which provides a simpleand safe means to connect the electrical boxes on the high voltage side.The hollow tube may be a flexible conduit that is connected directly toboth electrical boxes or may include an intermediate section to connectmultiple pieces of hollow tube. Finally, the device is safer and allowsthe owner to provide a multitude of low voltage cables to the televisionwithout having to remove the electrical boxes once initially installed.This key advantage ensures that regardless if the television is changed,components (such as DVD players, Blu-Ray players, or receivers) arechanged, or a new device is added, the user can easily and efficientlypush the low voltage cables through the device without the hassle ofremoving and reinstalling the electrical boxes.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment through wall electrical device 50similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 8. Specifically, through wallelectrical device 50 is structurally similar to through wall electricaldevice of FIGS. 1 through 8 with one key difference in the power supplymechanism between the upper electrical box 10 and the lower electricalbox 28. The electrical cable 14 is replaced with a metallic electricalcable 52 and low voltage tube 20 may also be composed of a metal.Metallic electrical cable 52 maybe be secured to the upper and lowerelectrical boxes in any suitable way, including clamps or a recessedportion. The metallic electrical device 50 may be BX, MC, or Greenfieldstyle. BX is a metallic sheath with a neutral wire and a hot wiretherein, with the metal sheath functioning as the ground. MC includes ametallic sheath with a neutral wire, a hot wire, and a dedicated groundwire within the metallic sheath. Finally, Greenfield incorporates ametallic sheath without electrical wires therein so that the user caninstall their own wiring as needed. In each of these arrangements, themetallic cables may include a separate wire to connect to a ground forproper operation. In all aspects, it is generally preferable (but notalways required) to have separate high voltage and low voltage tubesbetween the upper and lower electrical boxes. Nevertheless, it is withinthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure to share the same tubewith separation between the low voltage portions and the high voltageportions.

FIGS. 14 through 17 illustrate various views of an upper through wallelectrical device 1020. Through wall electrical device 1020 includes ahigh voltage box 1022 and a low voltage box 1024. A receptacle retainer1026 is positionable within the high voltage box 1022 and secures anelectrical receptacle 1028 (or electrical plug in the lower through wallelectrical device 1021). A faceplate 1030 is positioned on the throughwall electrical device to be more aesthetically pleasing and whennecessary, may be sized to permit only low voltage cables to passthrough when a high voltage cable is not being used. Gaskets 1032 and1034 are positioned on a back side of the high voltage and low voltageelectrical boxes while mounting flags 1036 are connected to theelectrical box with mounting screws 1038.

High voltage box 1022 may include a flange 1040 forming a first interiorcavity 1042 with recessed portions 1044 having apertures 1046 therein toreceive mounting screws 1038. Accordingly, recessed portions 1044 arepositioned inward and separate from flange 1040 to be more aestheticallypleasing and easier to operate by an installer. A second interior cavity1048 is defined by the edges of recessed mounting portions 1044 andfunctions to receive an electrical cable receptacle or plug.

Low voltage box 1024 may include a flange 1050 forming a first interiorcavity 1052 with recessed portions 1054 having apertures 1056 therein toreceive mounting screws 1038. A second interior cavity 1058 is formedand bordered in part by recessed portions 1054 and advantageously allowseasier installation. A cable cutout 1060 may be generally u-shaped orany other suitable shape and formed in a top wall 1062 of the lowvoltage electrical box 1024. Cable cutout 1060 is preferably positionedabove a low voltage outlet 1064 which extends away from interior cavity1058 and exits the low voltage electrical box 1024 at outlet 1066. Asdescribed in previous applications to Applicants, a hollow tube may beconnected to outlet 1066, as seen in previous figures, so that a sealedenvironment can be achieved behind an interior wall and permit lowvoltage cables to pass from the upper through wall electrical device andthe lower through wall electrical device. Accordingly, when high voltageelectrical box 1022 is removed from the interior wall, low voltagecables can extend through cutout 1060 and into low voltage outlet 1064in a nearly vertical fashion such that installation of low voltagecables is significantly easier and the high voltage electrical box 1022may then be reinstalled to close off the interior space. In one aspect,both the high voltage and low voltage electrical boxes may be composedof a plastic or other suitable material and may be white, brown, clear,or any other suitable color. It has been discovered that a clear lowvoltage electrical box can be helpful for installation purposes toproperly align and insert low voltage cables.

FIG. 18 illustrates a rear view of the upper through wall electricaldevice 1020 with electrical receptacle 1028 therein with a rear surface1068 of the electrical receptacle extending rearward and beyond the highvoltage electrical box 1022. Specifically, electrical receptacle 1028 ispositioned within receptacle retainer 1026 with a rear wall 1106exposed. As can be seen, the upper through wall electrical device 1020with high voltage electrical box 1022 and low voltage electrical box1024 together form two sealed regions for securing high voltageelectrical cables and low voltage electrical cables separately.

FIG. 19 illustrates the lower through wall electrical device 1021 whichis structurally and functionally identical to the upper through wallelectrical device 1020 with one distinct exception. Specifically,electrical receptacle 28 has been replaced with electrical plug 1070such that a standard electrical cord or extension cord can be used toconnect the lower through wall electrical device 1021 and also upperthrough wall electrical device 1020 with a high voltage current.Although now shown, an NM or Romex cable 1072 extends between theelectrical receptacle 1028 and the electrical plug 1070 to provideelectrical current to the upper through wall electrical device andthereby operate an electrical device connected thereto. As can also beseen in FIG. 19, faceplate 1030 may include an opening 1074 with angledwalls 1076 therein to receive the high voltage electrical cable, while aslotted opening 1078 can pass the low voltage cables to the low voltageelectrical box. Finally, a flange 1080 surrounds the faceplate and snapsonto the upper and lower through wall electrical devices once mounted inthe interior wall.

FIG. 20 illustrates the upper through wall electrical device 1020 with ahigh voltage electrical cable and plug 1082 being inserted into highvoltage electrical box 1022, while a low voltage cable 1084, such as anHDMI cable, being inserted into low voltage electrical box 1024. In thismanner, once the upper and lower through wall electrical devices 1020,1021 are installed, any number of low voltage cables may be insertedthrough the appropriate low voltage electrical box and openings to a lowvoltage electrical signal from a device near the lower though wallelectrical device to a television or other device near the upper throughwall electrical device.

FIG. 21 illustrates a second aspect upper through wall electrical device1023 having a structure similar to upper through wall electrical device1020 with an electrical receptacle 1086 having two or more electricalcontact receiving regions. In this manner, more than on electricaldevice can be connected to high voltage at the upper through wallelectrical device. Further, receptacle retainer 1026 may be modified tosecure the two or more receptacle arrangement, or the electricalreceptacle may be designed and manufactured such that it replaces thereceptacle retainer 1026 as may be appropriate. Finally, the user maydecide to add additional or remove extra electrical receptacles. As willbe seen, the receptacle retainers may be changed or adapted to secureone, two, three, or more electrical plugs and/or receptacles withoutbuying new high voltage electrical boxes.

FIGS. 22 through 24 illustrate the structure of receptacle retainer 1026with electrical receptacle 1028 positioned therein. Receptacle retainer1026 is secured within high voltage electrical box 1022 at side walls1101 and is particularly secured at the recesses on each end of sidewalls 1101. The receptacle retainer may include a front wall 1100 withan aperture 1104, a hinged bottom wall 1102, rear wall 1106 with anaperture 1104, and a top wall 1110. Both bottom wall 1102 and top wall1110 may each include recesses which are used to securing the receptacleretainer within the electrical box during assembly such that thereceptacle retainer can withstand the forces or electrical pluginsertion and removal. The bottom wall 1102 may include a connector 1114which is secured to a tab 1112 on side wall 1101. Specifically, when theelectrical receptacle 1028 is positioned within apertures 1104, thebottom wall 1102 can be secured around the electrical receptacle andprevents the receptacle from moving. As can be seen in FIG. 15, theelectrical receptacle 1028 has a generally square shape and iscomplimentary sized and shaped to fit securely within the receptacleretainer 1026. Further, it should be appreciated that electricalreceptacle 1028 can be replaced with electrical plug 1070 such thatreceptacle retainer 1026 is a common part to both the upper and lowerthrough wall electrical devices.

FIG. 25 illustrates the high voltage electrical box removed and the lowvoltage electrical box 1024 positioned within interior wall 1088 andsecured with mounting flags. With the high voltage electrical boxremoved, the user can easily insert low voltage cables into the lowvoltage electrical box in almost a vertical orientation through cutout1060 and into low voltage outlet 1064 to traverse the cable to andthrough the lower through wall electrical device such that the cable ishidden behind the wall in a hollow tube to prevent air loss. After thisis completed, the high voltage electrical box 1022 may be installed orre-installed if it was already previously installed. In this manner, thecombined high voltage and low voltage electrical boxes provide theappearance of a single electrical box but provide a unique and novelmethod to easily and quickly install or remove low voltage cables.

Without being limited to the process described herein, an exemplaryinstallation method will be described, but other suitable methods may beutilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. In operation, the user first cuts two holes (one for theupper through wall device and one for the lower through wall device) inthe wall with a hole saw or other suitable device. Next, either the highvoltage or the low voltage electrical boxes may be installed. In oneaspect, the upper and lower low voltage electrical boxes are installedwith a hollow tube connecting both low voltage electrical boxes. The lowvoltage electrical boxes may be secured within the bottom portion of theupper hole and the upper portion of the bottom hole with mounting screwsand mounting flags as described above. It may be advantageous to connectthe hollow tube to the upper low voltage electrical box and then insertthe upper low voltage electrical box and tube through the upper hole.The lower low voltage electrical box can then be connected to the hollowtube and the user can then secure the lower low voltage electrical boxwith mounting flags and mounting screws. Once completed, the user mayelect to fish all the low voltage cables through the upper low voltageelectrical box, hollow tube, and lower low voltage electrical box. Next,the high voltage electrical boxes are installed, with the upper highvoltage electrical box installed first and the NM cable extendingdownwards and adjacent the lower hole so that it can be connected to andinserted into the lower high voltage electrical box. Once the electricalreceptacle and electrical plugs are secured within the high voltageelectrical boxes, the high voltage electrical boxes can be securedadjacent the low voltage electrical boxes with mounting flags andscrews. Next, the faceplate may be secured over the combined upper orlower electrical boxes to create the appearance of a single electricalbox. Finally, the electrical devices may be connected to high voltage orlow voltage as appropriate.

While not specifically shown, it is within the spirit and scope toincorporate the hollow tube of FIGS. 1-13 into the through wallelectrical device of FIGS. 14-25 and specifically connect the twooutlets 66 with the hollow tube to allow free passage of low voltagecables within the tube and between the upper and lower low voltageelectrical boxes.

In summary, the disclosed through wall electrical device provides aneasy, efficient, and cheaper alternative way of providing electricalcurrent and low voltage electrical communication to a wall-mountedtelevision or other device without the clutter of cables hanging downthe wall. Further, the device is airtight to be energy efficient andeasy to install. To further enhance the airtight nature of the device,gaskets may be positioned between each electrical box and the hollowtube, the wall, or any pieces connected within the assembly to limit airinfiltration into or out of the electrical boxes. The NM cable mayinclude a snap-in connector at one or both ends which provides a simpleand safe means to connect the electrical boxes on the high voltage side.The hollow tube may be a flexible conduit that is connected directly toboth electrical boxes or may include an intermediate section to connectmultiple pieces of hollow tube. Finally, the device is safer and allowsthe owner to provide a multitude of low voltage cables to the televisionwithout having to remove the electrical boxes once initially installed.This key advantage ensures that regardless if the television is changed,components (such as DVD players, Blu-Ray players, or receivers) arechanged, or a new device is added, the user can easily and efficientlypush the low voltage cables through the device without the hassle ofremoving and reinstalling the electrical boxes.

It will be understood that implementations are not limited to thespecific components disclosed herein, as virtually any componentsconsistent with the intended operation of a method and/or systemimplementation for a through wall electrical device may be utilized.Components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version,class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity,and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of a methodand/or system implementation for a through wall electrical device.

The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specificimplementations shown herein. For example, it is specificallycontemplated that the components included in a particular implementationof a through wall electrical device may be formed of any of manydifferent types of materials or combinations that can readily be formedinto shaped objects and that are consistent with the intended operationof a through wall electrical device. For example, the components may beformed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other likematerials; polymers and/or other like materials; plastics, and/or otherlike materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals and/orother like materials; alloys and/or other like materials; and/or anycombination of the foregoing.

Furthermore, embodiments of the through wall electrical device may bemanufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all ofthe components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joinedwith one another. Manufacture of these components separately orsimultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming,injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting,forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding,stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting,punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components aremanufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupledwith one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, afastener, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example,depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s)forming the components.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of a through wall electrical device, it should bereadily apparent that a number of modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may beapplied to other through wall electrical devices. The accompanyingclaims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the disclosure set forth in this document. Thepresently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of thedisclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than theforegoing description. All changes that come within the meaning of andrange of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:
 1. A through wall electrical device comprising: an upper highvoltage electrical box, an upper low voltage electrical box, a lowerhigh voltage electrical box, and a lower low voltage electrical box; theupper and lower high voltage electrical boxes having a straightperimeter wall surface; the upper and lower low voltage electrical boxeshaving a straight perimeter wall surface; wherein the upper high voltageelectrical box straight perimeter wall surface and the upper low voltageelectrical box straight perimeter wall surface are positioned adjacenteach other upon installation and together form a generally round upperelectrical box; wherein the lower high voltage electrical box straightperimeter wall surface and the lower low voltage electrical box straightperimeter wall surface are positioned adjacent each other uponinstallation and together form a generally round lower electrical box;and, a hollow tube connecting the upper low voltage electrical box andthe lower low voltage electrical box.
 2. The through wall electricaldevice of claim 1 wherein the upper low voltage electrical box furthercomprises a cutout in the straight perimeter wall surface.
 3. Thethrough wall electrical device of claim 2 wherein the cutout extendsrearward at least partially above a low voltage electrical box outlet.4. The through wall electrical device of claim 2 wherein the cutout isnot visible when the upper high voltage electrical box and the upper lowvoltage electrical boxes are installed.
 5. The through wall electricaldevice of claim 1 wherein the upper low voltage electrical box is clear.6. The through wall electrical device of claim 1 wherein the upper highvoltage electrical box is clear.
 7. The through wall electrical deviceof claim 1 wherein the upper low voltage electrical box and the upperhigh voltage electrical box are each half-round electrical boxes.
 8. Thethrough wall electrical device of claim 1 further comprising a recessedmounting portion for securing the upper low voltage electrical box andthe upper high voltage electrical box to a wall.
 9. The through wallelectrical device of claim 8 wherein the recessed mounting portions aredisconnected from a front surface flange.
 10. The through wallelectrical device of claim 1 further comprising a faceplate securable toa flange of the upper high voltage electrical box and the upper lowvoltage electrical box.
 11. The through wall electrical device of claim10 wherein the faceplate further comprises a high voltage opening and alow voltage opening.
 12. The through wall electrical device of claim 1wherein the upper and lower high voltage electrical boxes are removablewithout impacting the upper and lower low voltage electrical boxes. 13.The through wall electrical device of claim 1 wherein the upper highvoltage electrical box is positioned above the upper low voltageelectrical box.
 14. A method of providing a cable passage comprising thesteps of: mounting an upper low voltage electrical box having a straightperimeter wall surface in an installation wall with a hollow tubepositioned behind the installation wall and connected to the hollowtube; mounting a lower low voltage electrical box having a straightperimeter wall surface in the installation wall and connected to thehollow tube; mounting an upper high voltage electrical box having astraight perimeter wall surface in the installation wall adjacent theupper low voltage electrical box with the straight perimeter wallsurfaces adjacent each other and the upper low voltage electrical boxand the upper high voltage electrical boxes together forming a generallyround upper electrical box; and, mounting a lower high voltageelectrical box having a straight perimeter wall surface in theinstallation wall adjacent the lower low voltage electrical box with thestraight perimeter wall surfaces adjacent each other and the lower lowvoltage electrical box and the lower high voltage electrical boxestogether forming a generally round lower electrical box.
 15. The methodof providing a cable passage of claim 14 further comprising the step ofinserting a cable through the upper and lower low voltage electricalboxes before installing the upper and lower high voltage electricalboxes.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step ofconnecting the lower high voltage electrical box to an electricalcurrent source.